Foldable baby bathing and dressing stand



. 31, EQBQ a. a. EUKOL'E FOLDABLE BABY BATHING AND DRESSING STAND 4 She etS Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1938 33, 193%, a. s. BUKOL? FOLDABLE BABY BATHING AND DRESSING STAND Filed Oct. 24, 1938 w 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @cfifl 3i, 5%9. a. a. suxom' FOLDABLE BABY BATHING AND DRESSING STAND Filed Oct. 24, 1938 4 Sheets-sheet 3 mm mm A W m EM 3 YWQ/YVM 2074 an 3., Buko Z R BUKOLT 23.78.4686

FOLDABLE MBY BATHING AND DRESSING STAND Fild Oct. 24, 1938 Sammie-Sheet 4 Bomn .5 520m;

Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE Roman B. Bukolt, Stevens Point, Wis.

Application October 24,

11 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in foldable devices for use in bathing and dressing babies, of the general type having a foldable frame or stand, a collapsible bathtub, the frame of which is pivoted to the supporting structure to swing from a normally horizontal position to a vertically hanging inoperative position, and a dressing table which may be positioned over the tub for use or disposed in an inoperative position ready for use, or in a folded position.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a generally improved and simplified construction in the form of a light-weight stand which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured, sold at a reasonable price, easily carried from place to place, readily extended for use without confusion, and folded for compact storage with equal facility.

A further object is to provide a novel construction which may be conveniently supported partly over an ordinary bathtub if desired, in such manner that the nurses or mothers feet will not strike the tub When standing or sitting beside the stand.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view with the parts in readiness for bathing a baby.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation with the parts positioned as in Fig. 1 and illustrating the dressing table in its operative position in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the entire device folded for compact storage.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view with the parts positioned as in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view looking substantially in the direction indicated by the arrow 6 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view looking substantially as indicated by the arrow 1 in Fig. 1, the parts being separated.

Fig. 8 is a small end elevation showing the stand supported partially by the bottom and 50 partially by the outer wall of a bathtub, a portion of the latter being shown in transverse section.

A preferred construction has been illustrated and will be rather specifically described, with the understanding, however, that within the 1938, Serial No. 236,754

scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

The numeral 10 denotes a vertical back frame having two end posts or legs ll rigidly connected near their upper ends by a board l4, both posts and all other frame parts being preferably of wood.

A collapsible bathtub i5 is provided of rub bered fabric or the like, said bathtub having an appropriate marginal frame It, the end bars of which are denoted at 11. These end bars are provided with projecting ends it! which project rearwardly when the tub is operatively positioned, said projecting ends then lying directly upon the board Id of the back frame Ill. Pivots l9 connect the projections IS with the upper end portions of the posts or legs H, which portions project above the board M. The pivots iii are preferably in the form of ordinary Wood screws, and suitable spacers 20 are mounted on these screws between the posts or legs I l and the projections i8. The pivots l9 permit the tub l5 and its frame It to swing from the horizontal operative position in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, to the lowered inoperative position of Fig. 4, and allow said tub and its frame to be readily lifted to operative position. When in this latter position, the frame projections 18 rest directly upon the board 14 of the back frame Ill and thus relieve the pivots 19 of load-supporting strain. 0

Two end frames 2| are hinged at 22 to the front edges of the posts or legs I I, said end frames each having a post or leg H, upper and lower bars 2H and 21 extending rearwardly from said post or leg, and a vertical bar 21 connecting said bars 2| and 2l The end frames 2| are swingable inwardly in front of the downwardly folded tub as seen in Figs. 3 and 4 when the device is not in use, and for use may be extended forwardly as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 to support the A10 tub in operative position. When the end frames 2| occupy these forwardly extended positions, they converge forwardly to some extent as seen more particularly in Fig. 5 and their top bars 2 I then directly support the end bars ll of the tub frame l6 as seen clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 6. The front portions of these end frames 2| are provided with rigid upwardly projecting fingers 23 which lie against the inner sides of the end bars ll (see Fig. 6) when the structure is positioned for use, preventing the frames 2! from swinging outwardly from under the tub frame l6. Hooks are also preferably provided to connect the tub frame [6 with the end frames 2 i. On one of these end frames 2|, I have shown a hook 24 cooper- A the pivots I9.

able with a stud 25 on one of the end bars ll. On the other of these end bars I1 is a hook 24 cooperable with a stud 25 on the other of the end frames 2|. When the entire structure is folded as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the hook 24 on one of the end frames 2| is cooperable with the stud 25' on the other of said end frames to hold the two end frames in folded position.

An appropriate dressing table 26 is provided preferably consisting of a sheet of convas or the like 21 secured to a marginal frame 28 and preferably detachably connected to this frame in any appropriate manner. The dressing table 25 is intended for movement to an inoperative vertical position behind and projecting above the back frame ID as seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, 01' to an operative horizontal position upon the tub frame I6 as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2, or to a vertical folded position in front of the folded tub as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. In order that the dressing table 26 may readily move to any of these three positions, it is connected by two links 30 with the tub frame I6, said links being directly pivoted to the ends of the dressing table frame 28 as shown at 3|, and being directly pivoted at 32 to the end bars I! of the tub frame IS. The pivots may Well be in the form of wood screws with suitable provision to prevent frictional binding of the links. When the dressing table 26 occupies the vertical inoperative position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the links 30 rest directly upon the spacers 20 and effectively support said dressing table in said position. After bathing of the infant, when the dressing table is to be operatively positioned, it is simply necessary to pull it upwardly and forwardly, whereupon the links 30 guide it into position resting directly upon the tub frame l6. When the entire structure is to be folded, the dressing table, the tub frame and the tub swing downwardly as a single unit about The end frames 2| are then swung inwardly to occupy little space.

I preferably provide pockets 33 for comb, brush, etc., and also a pin cushion 33, these elements being carried by flexible strips connected with a the cover or sheet 21 to hang from the edge of the table 26 which is uppermost when said table is in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5.

When the entire structure is folded, as seen in- Figs. 3 and 4, the pockets 33 are also suspended from the table 26, preventing falling of their contents from the same. When the entire structure is extended for use and the dressing table 26 moved to the position of Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the pockets 33 naturally occupy positions above the rear of the tub and readily accessible to the mother or nurse.

I also preferably provide a soap tray 33- in one corner of the tub as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. It is formed from a triangular piece of rubberized fabric having two of its edges tacked to the side bars and its third edge folded and tacked at the ends thereof to provide a soap retaining rim. The depressed bottom of the tray is perforated for drainage and to facilitate cleaning.

A back guard 34 is provided, in the form of a bail, to prevent a baby from rolling from the rear of the table 25. This bail is pivoted to the posts or legs H, at 35, and hangs in front of the end frames 2| when the entire stand is folded.

' When the bail is swung upwardly, it may well I provide one of the end frames 2| with a leaf or tray 43 which is hinged thereto to swing from the raised operative position of Figs. 1 and 5, to the folded position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A suitable pivoted bracket 44 is provided to either support the tray 43 in operative position or to permit folding thereof. The other end frame 2| carries a foldable clothes rack 45 which is extensible therefrom as seen in Fig. l or may be folded into the same when not in use, a stop plate 46 (Fig. 3) being preferably employed to limit the inward folding of said clothes rack. It is also preferable to provide the tray 43 with two pivoted arms 41 which may be swung therefrom, one to hold the wash cloth and the other the towel. The tray 43 of course supports any powder, lotion, medicine or the like to be used during the washing and dressing operation, and the fresh clothes which are to be placed upon the infant, are supported by the rack 45. A notch 43' is preferably formed in the hinged inner end of the tray 43, permitting the mother or nurse to insert the fingers of one hand therethrough to engage the bar 2| of one of the end frames 2| while the other hand engages the corresponding 7 bar of the other end frame, allowing easy lifting and carrying of the stand when extended for use.

The device normally is in folded condition as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. When it is to be set up for use, the bail 34 is swung upwardly to operative position against the stops 36, the hook 24 is released and the two end frames 2| are swung forwardly. The tub and the dressing table are then upwardly swung as a single unit and the end frames 2| are inwardly moved until their bars 2| directly support the end bars ll of tub frame IS, the hooks 24 and 24 being then engaged with the coacting studs 25 and 25. The dressing table 26 is then swung to the position of Figs. 1, 2 and 5, being guided to said position by the links 30 which then rest up the spacers 20. The tray 43 is swung upwardly and held by the bracket 44, and the racks 45 and 41 are extended for use.

After bathing the baby, it is a simple matter to pull the dressing table 26 upwardly and forwardly to the dotted line position of Fig. 2 in which position it is directly supported by the tubv frame I 6. Upon this table, the infant is dried, dressed and given any other necessary attention.

The stand, extended for use, may be supported upon the floor, or may be supported partially over a bathtub. In Fig. 8, for example, the legs rest upon the bottom of a bathtub T and the lower bars 2| b of the end frames 2| rest upon the outer side wall of said tub, the legs I I being then a few inches above the floor. With the stand supported in this manner, the feet of the nurse or mother standing or seated beside the stand need not strike the bathtub and she is not, therefore, forced to occupy an awkward position, as heretofore necessary with baby bathing devices to be supported by or to rest within bathtubs. If desired, the two legs H and II at one end of the stand may rest upon the bathtub bottom and the other two legs may rest upon the floor.

When the entire structure is to be folded, the hooks 25 and 25 are released, and the end frames 2| moved outwardly to a slight extent, the entire tub and dressing table are then jointly folded downwardly as a single unit, said end frames 2| are inwardly swung, the hook 24 is engaged with the stud 25', and the bail 34 is swung downwardly in front of said frames. At any desired time, the racks 45 and 41 are of course swung to reas above explained.

As excellent results have been obtained from the construction shown and described, such construction is preferably followed. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

I. claim:

l. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical 1 back frame, a collapsible bathtub pivoted to said back frame to fold downwardly from a forwardly projecting operative position to an inoperative position, two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said back frame to fold inwardly in front of the inoperatively positioned tub and to extend forwardly to operatively support said tub, a dressing table mounted to swing to a vertical inoperative position behind said back frame, and to a horizontal operative position overlying the operatively positioned tub, and to a vertical folded lposition in front of the folded tub, and a back guard for said dressing table when the latter is operatively positioned, said back guard being in the form of a bail pivoted to the ends of said back frame and downwardly swingable in front of said end frames when the stand is folded, and means for holding said bail in an upwardly swung operative position.

2. A baby bathing stand comprising a foldable Supporting frame, a collapsible bathtub pivoted to said supporting frame to fold downwardly from an operative position to an inoperative position, means for holding the tub in said operative position, a dressing table to occupy a horizontal operative position overlying the operatively positioned tub, and a vertical inoperative position behind the operatively positioned tub, and a vertical folded position in front of the downwardly folded tub, and links connecting the ends of said dressing table with the ends of said tubfor guiding said dressing table to and from said operative and inoperative positions and for supporting said dressing table in said vertical folded position when the tub is downwardly folded, said links being directly pivoted tosaid tub and to said dressing table.

3. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical back frame having a horizontal elevated member and vertical end posts or legs projecting above said member, a collapsible bathtub having a frame provided with end bars, pivots slightly above and in advance of said member and connecting said end bars to the inner sides of said vertical end posts or legs, permitting the tub to swing downwardly to an inoperative position, said end bars projecting rearwardly beyond said pivots and resting upon said member when the tub is swung upwardly to operative position, thereby relieving said pivots of load-supporting strain, two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said vertical end posts or legs to fold inwardly in front of-the lowered tub and to extend forwardly in converging relation when the tub is to be positioned for use, said end frames underlying and contacting with said end bars of said tub frame when in their forwardly extended converging positions, and means for then holding said end frames against slipping from under said end bars.

4. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical back frame, a collapsible bathtub having a marginal frame the end bars of which are pivoted to said back frame to allow the tub to fold downwardly from an operative position, two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said back frame to fold inwardly in front of the folded tub and to extend forwardly to operatively support said tub, said end frames converging forwardly to positions directly underlying and contacting with said end bars when in tub supporting position, and means for then holding said end frames against slipping from under said end bars.

5. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical back frame, a collapsible bathtub having a marginal frame the end bars of which are pivoted to said back frame to allow the tub to fold downwardly from an operative position, two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said back frame to fold inwardly in front of the folded tub and to extend forwardly to operatively support said tub, said end frames converging forwardly to positions directly underlying and contacting with said end bars when in tub supporting position, rigid upwardly projecting fingers secured to said end frames to abut the inner sides of said end bars when said end frames occupy said forwardly converging positions, and hooks for then connecting said end bars with said end frames.

6. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical back frame, a collapsible bathtub having a marginal frame the end bars. of which are pivoted to said back frame to allow the tub to fold downwardly from an operative position, two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said back frame to fold inwardly in front of the folded tub and to extend forwardly to operatively support said tub, said end frames when in tub supporting position directly supporting said end bars of the tub frame, one hook on one of said end frames, one stud on one of said end bars cooperable with said one hook, a second hook on the other of said end bars, and a second stud on the other of said end frames cooperable with said second hook, whereby said hooks and studs will hold the tub frame operatively positioned on the end frames; said one hook and said second stud being so located as to coact to hold the two end frames in folded position.

7. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical back frame having an elevated horizontal member and vertical end posts or legs projecting above said member, a collapsible bathtub having a frame provided with end bars, pivots slightly above and in advance of said member and connecting said end bars to the inner sides of said vertical end posts or legs, permitting the tub to swing downwardly to an inoperative position, said end bars projecting rearwardly beyond said pivots and resting upon said member when the tub is swung upwardly to operative position, thereby relieving said pivots of load-supporting strain, and means for operatively supporting the front portion of the tub.

8. A baby bathing stand comprising a vertical back frame having vertical end posts or legs, a collapsible bathtub having a marginal frame between said end posts or legs, pivots connecting the end bars of the tub frame with said posts or legs and permitting the tub to fold downwardly from an operative position, spacers on said pivots between said end bars and said posts or legs, means for operatively supporting the front portion of said tub, a dressing table to occupy a vertical inoperative position behind said back frame, and an operative position upon said tub, and a folded position in front of the folded tub, and links connecting the ends of said dressing table with said end bars of the tub frame and resting on said spacers when said dressing table occupies said vertical inoperative position.

9. In a baby bathing stand having a downwardl foldable collapsible bathtub and a dressing table mounted for movement to an operative position overlying said tub, and to a vertical inoperative position behind and projecting above the tub, and to a vertical folded position in front of the folded tub; an article support hung from the edge of said dressing table which is uppermost when said table occupies said vertical inoperative position behind the tub, foremost when said table occupies its operative position and lowermost when said table occupies its downwardly folded position.

10. In a baby bathing device having a foldable bathtub; a supporting stand for said tub comprising a vertical back frame to rest either upon a floor or upon the bottom of a conventional stationary bathtub, and two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said back frame to either project forwardly to operative positions or to fold inwardly in front of said back frame, said end frames having legs cooperable with said back frame in supporting the stand upon a floor, said end frames also having elevated supporting portions behind said legs to rest upon the outer wall of a conventional stationary bathtub when said back frame rests upon the tub bottom, said supporting portions then coacting with said back frame in supporting the stand with said legs spaced upwardly from the floor.

11. In a baby bathing device having a foldable bathtub; a supporting stand for said tub com-,

prising a vertical back frame to rest either upon a floor or upon the bottom of a conventional stationary bathtub, and two end frames hinged on vertical axes to said back frame to either project forwardly to operative positions or to fold inwardly in front of said back frame, said end frames having legs cooperable with said back frame in supporting the stand upon a floor,,said end frames also having elevated horizontal bars extending rearwardly from said legs to rest upon the outer wall of a conventional stationary bathtub when said back frame rests upon the tub bottom, said horizontal bars then coacting with said back frame in supporting the stand with said legs spaced upwardly from the floor.

ROMAN B. BUKOLT. 

